'Good Samaritans' could hold key to killer's identity

Six witnesses who intervened in attacks on two women could hold vital clues about the identity of a killer and serial rapist in east London.

Police believe they stopped the killer in the act when he attacked a 16-year-old girl and a 46-year-old woman in separate incidents.

Detectives think the man who killed 35-year-old Michelle Samaraweera in Walthamstow in May was behind the two attempted assaults in March.

On 19 March at about 10pm, a man armed with a knife grabbed the 16-year-old in South Grove opposite the Alpha Business Centre. Three men driving a silver car came to the teenager's rescue. A week later, on 26 March at about 11.30pm, the 46-year-old was assaulted near St Saviour's Church in Markhouse Road. The suspect fled when three men in a white van stopped to help, police said.

The body of Ms Samaraweera, a widow, was found in a small park off Queen's Road on 30 May. She had been strangled and raped. Police linked the murder by DNA to two rapes in the area.

Detective Superintendent Vic Rae said: "The six men who acted so courageously and intervened are yet to come forward and they may have information which could greatly assist." Anyone with information should call 020 8345 3715.